Suggested Resources

Based on The China Study (see below, under “Books”), this video recaps the studies ad highlights the relationships between diet and health. For those interested in nutrition and its relationship to health and vitality, this DVD is essential.

“The greatest shortcoming of the human race is our inability to understand the exponential function.”

A broadly misunderstood reality, and perhaps most important for the sustainability of our species, is the working of exponential growth (and collapse). Here you can find links to Dr. Bartlet’s pioneering work in print and video.

Although Culture Quake suffers from a lack of proofreading and editing, particularly in the earlier sections, it is nevertheless one of the most valuable sources of clear thinking about our possible futures I have found. Highly recommended.

A one-of-a-kind examination of the diets of distinct populations, and analysis of the relationship of diet to health. If you are interested at all in human health and diet, this is the foundational work you must read.

Based on the work of Dr. Elaine Ingham, pioneer in the field of soil microbiology and plant health and productivity, Teaming with Microbes tells the story of working with the microbiology in the soil to achieve healthy, productive plants in garden or farm.

An essential reference for those who understand the magnitude of the changes coming in the next decade. The book is in two sections. The first deals with what makes a good basic food crop. The second covers 5 basic crops in depth.

Another foundational book. Carol’s deep understanding of both breeding and growing on a small scale, and her ability to explain both in plain English, is astounding. A must have reference volume for anyone serious about growing at least some of their own food.

Back in print after a couple of decades of rarity, this exposition on the causes of the success and failure of civilizations and nation-states is densely documented and documents with astounding clarity the workings of nations that fail, and why, and nations that succeed, and why.

Fascinating new thinking and synthesis about how we came to be what we are, how we have developed in tandem with our micro- and macro-biological neighbors, and some ideas on where we can go from here. Touches on sustainable cities and a possible future for agriculture.

Although typically scientist-type thinking (we are in charge, and if we just understand enough we can make the world the way we want it to be), it offers some very interesting ideas about our interrelationships with the rest of the observable universe.

We all know that our economy is in trouble. In order to create a sustainable alternative, we need to understand what we have now. This short video, a combination of animation and recording, captures the essence of where stuff comes from and the processes involved from raw materials to disposal.

There are also 5 more (as of late 2012) short videos on topics of interest to those concerned about the future of humankind

Amazon’s description “A middle-aged iconoclast, doggedly avoiding the tedium of employment and conventional life, faces the prospect of losing custody of his young ward.” is fine, as far as it goes, but it barely touches the myriad underlying themes. This is my favorite movie. and I recommend it to everyone, although some have said they don’t get it, or it is just “a funny story.”

Dr. Ingham is at least 10 years ahead of anyone else in understanding the relationships between the life in the soil, plant nutrition, and plant health and productivity. Fortunately for us, she is that rare scientist: she is able to explain what she knows in plain English, and with clarity rarely experienced except with the very best of teachers.

This series of recordings features Dr, Ingham discussing the fundamentals of the Soil Food Web, and how it applies to farm soils, forest soils, lawns and golf courses, and a broad range of associated issues.

This is the fundamental work on soil biology and its relationship to plant health and productivity. There is no better source.